The libretto opens with two verses from Psalm 118 and closes with the third stanza of Martin Schalling's "Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr".

The topic of the libretto aligns with the prescribed readings for the day from the Book of Revelation, Michael fighting the dragon.

The cantata has seven movements, and is scored festively with four vocal parts and a Baroque orchestra of three trumpets, timpani, three oboes, bassoon, strings and continuo.

[6] The libretto was written by Christian Friedrich Henrici, better known as Picander, Bach began to work with him in 1725, and they collaborated notably on the major St Matthew Passion.

[3] Bach structured the cantata in seven movements and scored it for four vocal soloists (soprano (S), alto (A), tenor (T) and bass (B)), a four-part choir, and a Baroque orchestra of three trumpets (Tr), timpani (Ti), three oboes (Ob), two violins (Vl), violas (Va), bassoon (Fg), violone (Vo), and basso continuo (Bc).

[4] The bass aria, "Kraft und Stärke sei gesungen" (Power and strength be sung),[11] is accompanied by two low instrumental melodies.

[3] The imagery of a "great voice", as mentioned in the Book of Revelation, is used, announcing the Lamb "that has defeated and banished Satan".

[6] A short alto recitative, "Ich fürchte mich vor tausend Feinden nicht" (I don't fear thousand enemies),[11] was described as "tonally unstable".

[7] The tenor recitative, "Ich danke dir" (I thank You),[11] ends with an ascending phrase meant to represent an appeal to heaven.

[7] The duet aria for alto and tenor, "Seid wachsam, ihr heiligen Wächter" (Be wakeful, you holy watchers),[11] employs canon technique and a repeated interrupted cadence.

[5] The work ends with a harmonically complex four-part setting of the chorale, "Ach, Herr, laß dein lieb Engelein" (Ah, Lord, let Your dear little angel).